MInTheGap

Commentary Roundup

Security Moms

Jane Chastain details the thoughts of a “security mom” of the 2004 election.
These are the women of this election who are more concerned about the
safety of themseleves and their families than anything else.  We have a
whole new dynamic out there since the Soccer moms from 2000.  Things
are not the same since 9/11, and 9/11 is still on people’s minds.

Younger Voters

Ben Shapiro writes about his generation and how they will vote– what’s important to them. 
His point is roughly the same as Jane’s from above.  Bush is cleaning
Kerry’s clock when it comes to the abitility to defend this country. 
Though the younger generation are all over the board when it comes to
morals, they are more willing to try inventive ideas– such as personal
account for social security– than other age groups.

I saw
this first hand the other night in a meeting while looking for a new
pastor.  The group wondered if we should not provide health insurance
for the new pastor, and just rely on the government’s alternative. 
When I brought up my objection to relying on the government– the same
old argument was trotted out: but they’re giving it for free! 
It then went into this whole discussion of stewardship of God’s money. 
Like God can’t provide health insurance if needed!  The kicker was when
an older guy at the meeting said that he once thought my way, but as you get older, you get more practical.

Mission Accomplished

Michael Regan talks about the President’s fly in to the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln. 
The mission of that great ship, and the toppling of Sadam’s regime was
accomplished– no matter how many times CBS Radio News says “and 4000
troops have been killed since President Bush flew to the aircraft carrier to announce Mission Accomplished.”  This is– tongue and cheek– not biased, just hard news facts.

Genocide

Nat Hentoff has a piece about genocide is Sudan. 
This is some scary and serious stuff.  Why we can let this happen when
we have all the questions about why we let the holocaust continue…

Saving Babies

And on a happy note, Matt Abbott shares a couple of stories here about saving babies lives on the streets outside abortion clinics. 

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Where is Your Treasure?

Slipping through the narrow street, the young man scampered over the things in the alleyway until he reached an old, broken-down shack that lie at the end. He carefully walked up, turned around to see if anyone had followed, and then opened the creaky old door. It squeaked as it opened, and he looked to see if anyone had heard. No one was there. Not a sound. He carefully walked into the shack, and closed the door slightly behind.

A cat jumped off it’s perch, and nearly scared the boy to death as he swerved away from it. Panting, he held his hand to his chest, feeling his heart pounding inside. A few minutes later and the boy caught his breath and continued inside. Like he was the builder of the shack, he made his way to the back and to an old trunk. Being careful that no one was watching, he lifted the latch and lifted the lid. A smile warmed over his face as he gazed at the trunk’s contents. Inside, laying in a bed of sawdust, was a rock. Not just any rock, but the most precious treasure to this young man for in the corner of the rock shined a sparkling gem, of which he was sure was the prettiest diamond he’d ever seen. He dared not tell anyone about it, for they would surely want his gem.

After a little while gazing at his treasure, he closed the lid, put back the latch, and walked back outside, once again making sure that no one had seen or heard a thing, for no one must have his treasure.

Back at his house, his family all gathered around the table for dinner. The father, a farmer by trade from many generations of farmers, sat at the head of the table, as the mother, arms resting on the counter, seemed like she was going to break into tears. “I don’t understand it Charles,” his mother said.

“It’s just that way, May. This has been a bad season, and old Joe Crane down at the bank said that if we didn’t get the money for the latest loan I took out for the feed, that they were going to come out and have to take some of the livestock or something of value from the farm. I can’t think of what we can give him,” replied the father.

But Dad,” the boy said, “If you sell your animals won’t that make it harder for you to make money to pay it off?”

“It would, son, but I don’t see any other choice.” The son had never disclosed any information about his treasure. Any time he was asked about it, the response was that he was off doing something personal or doing something that he thought was fun. No one ever pressed him to find out what took so much of his time, and he never volunteered that information.

It was about a month later, the father had sold some of the livestock, and the family was still in financial trouble. To make matters worse, his little sister caught a dreadful disease, and the father was forced to sell some more of the animals to
cover the fee of the doctor. “It’s all I have, do you understand that?” The father told the banker. “I have nothing but the farm left.”

“I’m sorry, sir. I just cannot give you a loan. You have no collateral or any previous credit rating. I’m afraid that there is nothing that I can do for you.” Disappointed and disheartened, the father turned around and headed for the door. He
walked out, and back to the house.

That day, the boy visited his treasure again, thinking of how he would never have to face the problems that his dad was facing. A twinge of guilt sprung up inside him as he viewed the gem. Maybe I should let my father know about the gem, he thought. He felt for his sister, and knew how the family was in trouble, yet, at the same time, wondered if the gem were enough or whether his treasure would be worth anything. Even if it was, his dad would probably never listen to him tell of a diamond he had– he would think it was a dream or that he was just a child.

Another month passes. The farm has been sold to a wealthy city man.  The family is allowed to stay on it, with pay, out of the rich man’s generosity. The daughter is getting better, though still not out of the hospital. The rent on the place is coming due, and the young boy decides to tell his father about the treasure.

“Dad. I need to tell you something.”

“Not now, son. I’m kinda busy.”

“But Dad, it is important.”

“So is what I am doing.”

“But Dad–”

“No buts. Now, run along and check to see if your mother has anything for you to do.” The boy hangs his head and walks away. After he is done helping his mother, he walks back to his treasure, takes it out of the box, and works his way to a jeweler. “Let’s see what you have here, son.” The man said. He eyed the rock and the gem in the top. “It’s a diamond all right, but let’s see just how big it is.” The jeweler carried the rock into the back, where he had a hammer and chisel. Carefully, the jeweler banged at the rock to reveal a whole lot bigger diamond than he had ever imagined.

“I’m sorry son, but I don’t have enough money to pay for this diamond. There is a jeweler in the city that could buy it from you.” He gave the young man the address, and with that, the young man headed out to his farm house with the diamond in a bag for safe keeping. But, it was too late. His father had already taken matters into his own hands and had stolen from the city man and was thrown into prison. His mother, desperate for money or work, had left the house to who knows where.

So, the young man went to his sister, showing her the diamond, and telling her all about how an old man had showed him the trunk and gave him the diamond– a real treasure to him. And how he kept it, and never thought that it was as big as it really was, and how much it was worth. How he thought that no one would believe him, and so, he kept it hidden. The sister, tears in her eyes, asked, “But why? Why didn’t you tell us sooner? Why did you wait all this time to share with us
something so valuable?”

“I don’t know.”

Christian, your salvation, your very life from God, is a treasure given to you freely from Christ Jesus Himself. Precious beyond measure was the blood that was shed for you. He gave His life, and commands us to go share the message, give the witness, spread the faith! Why is it that this most precious treasure, far greater than anything we could ever imagine, lies locked up inside ourselves or in our churches. Why isn’t it everywhere– on our tongue continuously?

Continuing the Court Discussion

Strangecloud posed a very interesting dilemma to my idea in the last
post.  His point was that Judicial Review was put into place as part of
checks and balances in the government.  If I remember my history
correctly, Judicial Review was actually a creation of a certain Supreme
Court (I want to say Marshall, but I may be mistaken).  In fact, even
at the time it was quite controversial.

There is a movement inside congress to restrict judicial review over
topics such as homosexuality and school prayer.  The problem is that
the judiciary has become all powerful, casting rulings on controversial
issues that should be decided by the country’s populace and not the
“enlightened” thinkers on the bench.

The part that even gets
me more riled up is the fact that when the citizens do speak through
their representatives about issues such as abortion and school prayer,
these same justices have the audacity to say that their ruling trumps
the clear reading and the people’s wishes.

My point is that
since it seems impossible to keep these justices in check via
legislation and since people put so much weight on how a justice will
rule on moral issues (not issues of Consititutional understanding),
that we need to take away or scale back that power.

CBS and the Courts

I have a solution for the whole Dan Rather crisis.  I think that CBS
should get a new line at the beginning of 60 Minutes.  “One of these
stories is false, can you guess which one?”  Then at the end they could
tell you which one.  That way, people could be skeptical, trying to
guess which one the whole time.  Maybe they could tie it in with the
CBSNews.com website so that you could put in your guess.  If they would
make it so you could win CBS gear or something maybe the brand could be
healed.

There’s a story in the news about some legislation that is going
nowhere, but has a lot of potential.  The legislation is the bill to
protect the pledge of allegience from judicial review.  The democrats
are screaming that

1. It’s a moral issue that they have to go on the record about before an election.
2. That it hurts judicial review which we’ve had for 200 years

I think the second one is more interesting.  If we were to start
eroding the court’s power to review legislation (particularly on
abortion, homosexuality, Christianity, etc.) then the left could not
legislate from the bench.  That would make the court appointees less of
an issue, and maybe we could fill the benches back up with judges
instead of all of this fillibustering.

To clarify, the
Democrats are fillibustering because of how important those positions
are– because we have a judicial system who thinks that we like in an
oligarcy instead of a democratic-republic.  Take away their importance
in making these unpopular decisions and voila, the fillibuster could
disappear too.

Voting on Election Day

Bert Prelutsky has an article today about voting–
something I’ve been thinking around for a while.  The Founders
definitely wanted people with a stake in the game to be voting.  Now
we’ve come so far as to herd people like cattle to the polling place
telling them to vote for our guy.  My feeling when I hear about all
this bussing and other means to get people to the polling places is, if
it’s important to them why aren’t they finding a way to get there?

Now, before you call me a meanie, I’m not saying that people with
disabilities or the inability to travel shouldn’t have a means provided
for them should they so desire– maybe an internet sign up page or
something.  What I am against is this– “Im’m coming by to fill this
bus to bring people who wouldn’t have voted otherwise to the polls
because I know they know nothing but that they will vote for the guy
with the D or the R next to their name.”

Here’s something I
would find amusing.  What if, this year, a county switched the labels
on the parties people were running for?  Make GW Bush the Democrat and
JF Kerry the Republican.  You could question them on the way out if
they really knew who they were voting for, so you could correct the
mistake, but I’d be curious how many people would be upset because they
voted for the wrong party when they didn’t even know their party’s
candidate.

Don’t like that?  How about we take the names off
and put in phony names.  We could put in there some name like Oscar
Willmington or something and see how many people complain that Bush or
Kerry isn’t a listed choice.  Perhaps they would get that confused with
the voting for electors and that wouldn’t be good.

See what
I’m getting at?  How many people truly are involved– those people
should vote.  Not saying that anyone should not be allowed to vote, but
those that are informed should be the ones making decisions.  Just like
you don’t want me making decisions about the ingredients for a gormet
meal because I’m not informed– or running a nuclear reactor!– I don’t
think those that are uniformed should vote.

By all means– get informed, find out the issues, do the research, and then VOTE!

Child Update 2

Yesterday we tried again to have an acid reflux test.  He wouldn’t
cooperate.  He’s on antibiotics for a perceived sinus infection due to
a head cold.  He’s also getting scheduled for a visit to a pulmonary
doctor.  They’re still trying to figure out why he was throwing up like
he did.  My prayer is that he would get over this head cold stuff and
then not throw up.  We’ll cancel the appointment, and continue on. 
Still, it’s been a rough four week.

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers.  They mean a lot.

What Truly Matters

The story is told of a time, long ago, when two young farm boys, each helping their father, saw the King’s royal procession coming walking by for the first time. The lads, both younger than twelve, stood and peered through the fence as the knights on horseback were followed by footmen, and the train seem to go on forever until, near the center, a lavishly decorated coach came by. Around it walked heavily armored guards, in all their splendor with their big swords and shields at their sides.
“When I grow up, I want to be just like one of them,” Jacob said. Acting out each part, he continued, “I could fight of the evil black knight, rescue the fair damsel, and be king of the mountain!” Losing his balance, he tumbled down the small pile of dirt that he had mounted.

“Some knight you’d be,” his friend, Lance snickered. “I think you’ve heard too many stories. My dad says that there is no damsel, or anything like that, and all these knight guys get to do is stand around and sweat, and then they end up dying for some guy they never see, unless they get some reward for being injured or something.”

“Oh yeah? Well, my dad has told me stories of valiant knights, and glorious battles, and–”

“And that’s all they are, stories,” Lance finished. As they were going back and forth, Lance’s mother called him home, and the discussion ceased.

Many years later, there was a war in the land. A king from many miles away had attacked a weak position in the outskirts of the kingdom. Many brave souls fought hard and long, and
as such, new people were called in to serve their king and kingdom. Among them, two men, who long ago had formed their opinions of service for the king.

“I can’t believe this! I have a farm to work, a wife to take care of– I don’t have time to be off fighting battles,” an older Lance complains to a group of men called into service.

“But it is our duty, our service to one that has guided and protected all of us for so long. It is the least that we can do,” replied a voice in the shadow. Getting up, it was Jacob. “I would most gladly give my life for the king.”

“For what? A medal? A pat on the back?” Lance questioned.

“Yeah, I mean, he never comes by my house!” Another states.

“And where is he now? Not even here to help us in training, he’s off somewhere guarded and protected!” Still another replied. “While we’re dying on his battlefield, he’s drinking wine in his castle.”

“And none of us will be able to enjoy anything if the enemy makes us his slaves,” replied Jacob.

“You know, he’s right,” another one voiced, “We at least have to try.”

“Not I. I’m only here because I have to be,” finished Lance. The conversation ended, as training picked up again.

Days passed before they were ready, and when they were, they were suited and armored and ready for battle. They each got a horse and road out to the place that they had last heard of the enemy being, and found their own camp. Settling down that night, they awaited what would happen the next day.

It came bright and early, and with it the enemy. It was too late to mount horses, for there was a sneak attack. The men that had come to fight only because they had to ran, and were chased down by horses. Lance fell at the sword of the leader, as he was making what he thought was an unobserved getaway. The man who realized his duty fell fighting many men on foot, and took many with him. And Jacob, as he was fighting, took many of the enemies, and fought valiantly.

More of the kings men came in behind, and overtook the enemy which was defeated. Jacob, wounded and mangled, was taken back to see his king before passing on into eternity himself. As the king looked into the eyes of the man that willingly gave of his life to him, Jacob smiled, knowing that he had done his best, and had served with all of his heart.

A question for you, Christian. Which category of knights do you fall into? Are you the kind that’s there because it’s a free ticket to heaven– to escape eternal destruction? Are you the kind that has to be convinced of its benefits for you individually, that it makes sense to you before you serve? Or, are you the kind that is out there trying to please the King with all of your heart, soul, and mind and wanting to give your all at His feet just for a simple “Well done, good and faithful servant?” What is your primary motivation? What is it that really counts in your life? Where is your focus, love and adoration?

John Kerry and the Lack of Oxygen

I remember back in the good ole days of Sierra computer games that
there were a lot of creative software titles as well as creative fake
titles in games.  My favorite series was the Space Quest Series which
followed the path of a man who started out as a janitor but ended up
the hero every time– Roger Wilco.  Oh for games that simple and fun to
play.

John Kerry is having a lot of trouble.  Yesterday, I don’t know how
many times Rush Limbaugh said it on his program, but he said that Kerry hit a single erased by Rather’s double play. 
Rush’s comments were that Kerry finally has a good speech, but with the
announcement coming out of CBS, everything is turned toward that
direction with that focus.

Dick Morris states that  [Kerry] is playing a simple game of checkers, while President Bush is playing a subtle game of chess. 
Kerry, Morris says, is spending too much time playing to his base, and
instead of having a strategist, he has tacticians.  Bush has taken a
line on Iraq where Kerry hasn’t figured out who to be yet.  On the
domestic front, all of the issues are being addressed or getting better
due to policies Bush already has in place.

Finally, Dennis Prager has some interesting insights into what makes the right and left interpret something as right and wrong. 
To the left, he says, “rightness” is determined by law, whereas those
on the right view “rightness” by some higher moral code.  Maybe this
can being to shed some light as to why those on the other side of the
ailse think the way they do.